maria18 Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Hello All, I have returned to ballet after around 7 years and now go to an adult ballet class (we do it more for fitness than competition). There is no real uniform as it is a relaxed class, although we mostly wear black leggings and white top to look fairly smart and the same. Anyway as I had not done ballet for years I never bought ballet shoes or pumps as I wanted to try a couple of classes to see how I got on. I was happy to wear socks but was told to go in my bare feet as it is a wooden even though it is not too slippery. The teacher then said she can order Ballet pumps at a discount which I agreed to, but to start with my size was out of stock, then my teacher went off sick so we got another teacher who said to wait till the original teacher is back to get my ballet pumps. To be honest this could be another month and we have an open day where people come and watch and I am not sure about being the only one with barefeet. I have also been doing class in my barefeet for over a month now and would prefer not to. I don't want to bother my original teacher if she is off sick, but seeing as the ballet pumps have been ordered or are on there way I don't see the point in going out and buying some. Is there anything else I can wear in meantime or should I just carry on in my barefeet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 Hello maria18 and welcome. Dancing in barefeet can be tricky, especially when turning, as feet can get slightly stuck on the floor which probably isn't great for knees or other joints. If you can get to a dance shop, I'd be inclined to go and buy yourself one pair of ballet flats. Assuming you intend to continue your classes, you'll get through flatties reasonably quickly so can then wear the pair the teacher ordered for you, as and when they arrive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share Posted January 28, 2018 Thanks, To be honest the floor has been fine for dancing barefoot, it is more being the only one barefoot on the open day, but as it is only one day I just need to decide whether just to wait for the ballet pumps and do it with my feet bare. My friends at the class said I am fine doing it barefeet, I just don't like being barefoot in front of too many people. Sounds a big deal but cant help it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 I'd say use socks, at least for the barre until you can get ballet shoes. Even for centre practice - unless the floor is slippery for turns or big jumps. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted January 28, 2018 Author Share Posted January 28, 2018 I did try socks to start with, but they are not allowed, so will probably have to make do in my barefeet. It is not like we are doing exams I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted January 28, 2018 Share Posted January 28, 2018 No, some studios don't allow socks. If you can't get to a dancewear shop, maybe you could borrow some flats from a fellow dancer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate_N Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Oh dear, I can't imagine doing a proper ballet class in barefeet. Most studios I know say socks are fine - I generally wear socks for warm-up and plies, s I can really feel the floor, then swap into ballet flats at tendus. If you're in the UK, one quick & cheap seller is DanceDirect - you can order online & delivery is around 3 days. I tend to order about a half-size less than my street shoe size, and they have a sale on at the moment - a pair of canvas flats will cost you only around £8-£10. As others say, if you keep doing class, you'll wear through your shoes and so it won't be a waste having 2 pairs. Far better than bare feet! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 It really depends on the floor surface. The community centre we dance at has a bad habit of polishing the floor so socks are definitely not safe. On a more specialised ballet surface I suppose they might be - it is a proper sprung floor (except for the bit where some *!*#wit dropped a kettlebell through it) but it's just too slippy for socks. The other community centre dance studio is even worse - you'd want roisin on ballet flats for doing any grand allegro. Socsk would be lethal. Barefoot isn't great for ballet because there's too much grip and you can't use the floor properly on tendus and so on. Grab a pair of flats if you can and rejoice in having two pairs. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 I used to know someone who swore by doing ballet in those "Toasties"(?) socks which had treads on the bottom. Personally, I think you'd have to be very careful about the floor - it might work on some, but again you might find the treads could prevent you from turning/landing properly and you might wrench or sprain something. I might risk it for barre somewhere with a decent floor, but not on our current one, which has a tendency to splinter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 Thanks, I will order from Dance direct tomorrow as nobody at ballet class has a spare pair of pumps and we have open day on Saturday where we perform at 10am then 1pm, along with other classes such as jazz and modern in between, so I am praying they arrive in time as it one of the halls in the town centre where there are dance stalls etc trying to get more people to join in the classes so we will all be helping out with that so we have been asked to keep on our dance costumes. I did ask about wearing socks there, but it is either spend the day in pumps or bare feet so fingers crossed they arrive in time and we have a good turn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingShoes Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Move Dancewear are also very good. They were great at sizing some shoes when my dd needed then urgently for an audition. They came next day too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 Thanks, I wish I had known before as I am worried they might not arrive in time and I am working all week so no time to get to a dance shop, although we have no local ones nearby. Really wish I had got some pumps at the start instead of going through somebody else, but cannot be helped now. When the open day is on we need to get changed at the venue at 9am as that is when it all starts, and then stay in dancewear till around 4pm so really do not want to go barefooted all that time. I am not allowed to wear socks in the venue at all as it is either wooden or tiled floors which is a bit harsh. If they don't come by Friday I will scream Lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Could you phone them tomorrow to check how long delivery should take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted January 29, 2018 Author Share Posted January 29, 2018 Thanks for the links, have found a couple of sites who do around 3 or 4 day delivery so will order first thing tomorrow morning but can call a couple first hopefully. Amazon can also be very fast so may use them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 1 hour ago, maria18 said: Thanks for the links, have found a couple of sites who do around 3 or 4 day delivery so will order first thing tomorrow morning but can call a couple first hopefully. Amazon can also be very fast so may use them. there are a number of the retailers who will do next day / first class post 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legseleven Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 We have also been very impressed by Move Dancewear, whose deliveries have been amazingly fast. You could also contact the wonderful Just Ballet, whose service is amazing. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointetoes Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Personally I would call Just Ballet or go on the website, amazing service and delivery is always next day ( if in stock) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted January 30, 2018 Author Share Posted January 30, 2018 Thanks, I wish I knew about the one day service before as I earlier placed an order on amazon who have estimated a 2 or 3 day delivery service, although the conformation e mail says 3 to 5 days so if 2 to 3 days is right should get them okay by Thursday or Friday. On the bright side, my 14 year old sister ( bless her) fancies herself as a beauty and make up artist so has offered to do my hair and paint my toe nails if pumps don't arrive in time, so looks like I am sorted either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummy twinkle toes Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Amazon may be your best bet as you may get next day. They do stock Bloch, Katz and Capezio among others. Some bridal shops stock flat ballet shoes. Larger Sainsbury’s sell basic leather shoes up to size 5-not the best but would be fine for a basic pair. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted February 1, 2018 Author Share Posted February 1, 2018 Yes I did order through Amazon on Tuesday and should have got them today at the worst, but sadly no. Working tomorrow so no chance to go out and get some, although really hoping they arrive tommorow as there is no way I want to do open day with bare feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummy twinkle toes Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Really hope they arrive. Good luck for open day 👯♀️ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 Thank you, and they did arrive. I got home and size 6 on the bag as I had ordered and I was so relieved, apart from when I took them out of the bag I thought they looked big, they had got 6 and 9 mixed up so now got a pair of size 9 ballet pumps with open day tommorow at 9am so no chance of even getting to a shop. Would normally have laughed if open day was not tommorow.Once we change that is it for the day till around 4pm as we are on and off along with other dance groups. No other footwear or socks is allowed and changing room gets locked so I am pretty stuck, Not ordering off amazon for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Probably a very stupid question, but did you try them on? Some makes come in US sizes so a UK size 6 could easily be packaged and marked as a 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 Yes i have tried them on even with socks but way too big. As it is an open day I really want to dance so it is barefeet for the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Oh, what a shame. Shame there's no dance shop near the studio that you could pop to before class. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 Thanks alot, but i will be fine. It is not dancing barefoot i dislike, more the spending most of the day at the venue in barefeet as we are on and off a few times and have to keep dance clothes on once we are changed. There should be around 300 people there so will probably get some funny looks.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TYR Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 It can be done. In contemporary you do it all the time....even if the last time I took the soft option and stayed in shoes. Balances will be easier and maybe jumps, but tendus and ronds de jambes will feel strange and turns will be harder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I think you’ll just have to accept that the muse of dance has ordained you’re dancing barefoot tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 More that becaude Amazon has sent wrong size is why I am going barefeet. Anyway we are all changed and ready and go on st 9.30am so just doing some stretches. Wish us good luck and can you know how good a day we have 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Good luck, Maria! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate_N Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 Toi toi toi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted February 3, 2018 Share Posted February 3, 2018 chookas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maria18 Posted February 3, 2018 Author Share Posted February 3, 2018 All done and had great day, stil at venue having a light dinner. We did three 20 minutes demonstrations and people could join in. In between i tried jazz (which i used to do so got on well) scottish country dancing was great fun, and i also tried Zumba. Being barefoot for ballet and jazz was fine as managed to twist and turn okay. Zumba was a bit painful but great fun. I will get pumps for next time though as tried to leave changing room with socks on to keep feet warm in between dancing but was told no socks were allowed even when watching which is so ufair and going to cafe, toilets and helping at the stalls barefoot was not nice. My feet were frozen in between dancing as it tiled and wooden floors and after 8 hours my feet were a bit sore. Got asked twice where i get my nails and polish done and about ten times why do i dance barefoot and well done for being different. The worst part was that a stall was doing a demo for body fat monitor scales and seeing as i was barefoot i got vounteered to demonstrate them for about an hour so from not liking to show my feet i had about 200 people getting a close up so did feel a bit shy. Great experience though, and looks like we got some new dancers. Thanks so much for the good luck wishes. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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